With the Naval Brigade in Natal (1899-1900) Part 11

_From Captain Jones, R.N., Naval Brigade._

Volksrust, _June 14th, 1900._

[_Extract._]

"It became apparent that the hill (Van Wyk) must be held. General Hildyard was out there and decided to hold it, sending back for the rest of the Brigade.

"I arrived back in camp at 4 p.m. and was ordered to start after dark--as the route was exposed to the enemy's fire--and, if possible, to get two 12-pounders (Lieutenant Burne's) up the hill by daylight, and the 4.7's to the bottom. This we did after a most difficult march, arriving at the bottom at 4 a.m. I halted the 4.7's and pushed the 12-pounders up to the top. One arrived at daylight, the other broke a wheel and did not get up to the top till we were able later to get another pair of wheels from a limber and adapt them."

_From General Sir Redvers Buller, V.C., G.C.B._

Laing's Nek, Natal, _June 19th, 1900._

[_Extract._]

"On June 5th I directed General Hildyard, who with the 5th Division was encamped at De Wet's farm, to occupy on the 6th the height south of the Botha's Pa.s.s Road, marked on the map as Van Wyk.... The ascent of the hill was very difficult, and it was due to the energy of Captain Jones, R.N., and the officers and men of the Naval Brigade that one 12-pounder (Lieutenant Burne) was in position at Van Wyk at daylight. The other 12-pounder lost a wheel in the bad ground.... The Naval guns and the 10th Brigade were brought down from Van Wyk during the night. I may here remark that hard and well as Captain Jones and the men of the Naval Brigade worked during this war, I do not believe they ever had harder work to do or did it more willingly than in getting their guns up and down Van Wyk. They had to work continuously for thirty-six hours...."

_From Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, V.C., G.C.B._

Pretoria, _July 10th, 1900._

"I have much pleasure in supporting the recommendations put forward by Sir Redvers Buller on behalf of the Officers and Petty Officers of the Royal Navy."

_Report from Lieutenant Burne, R.N._

H.M.S. _Monarch's_ (late H.M.S. _Tartar's_) 12-pounder Q.-F. Battery,

Gra.s.s Kop, Sandspruit.

_October 24th, 1900._

On withdrawal from the front, I wish to forward for the favourable consideration of the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Sir Robert Harris, K.C.M.G., a short report on detachment of H.M.S. _Monarch's_ (late _Tartar's_) men now under my command, and who have served on sh.o.r.e with the Natal Army for over a year. Since my last report to Captain Jones, R.N., the Officer commanding Naval Brigade, on June 16th, after the victory of Almond's Nek, this battery has taken part in the march on Wakkerstroom and its occupation, the defence of Sandspruit and action four miles north of it, with Cavalry and other Artillery, under General Brocklehurst, M.V.O., which was a spirited little affair, and where the battery earned the commendation of the General on the shooting; later, the attack on Gra.s.s Kop and its occupation by the Dorsets was covered by these guns and other artillery on July 24th, and drew a heavy sh.e.l.l fire from four Boer Creusot guns in its defence, this battery at that time being led by Lieutenant Clutterbuck, R.N., when I was ill with jaundice, but whom I again relieved on July 27th, and have continued since that date in the defence of Gra.s.s Kop. My guns from here covered the right flank of two separate attacks in force on Comersfoort, the first under General Hildyard on July 30th, and the second under Sir Redvers Buller on August 7th, when the town was taken. We have also covered many reconnaissances, and have come into action at long ranges several times against marauding Boers on the plain at the foot of this hill, but hitherto they have not attacked us, as the hill is magnificently entrenched and has been held in turn by the Dorsets, the South Lancas.h.i.+res, and now the Queen's Regiment. The whole of the intelligence from Gra.s.s Kop as to movements of the enemy since July 24th up to this date, has been furnished by my look-outs with our long telescope; and this I need scarcely say has been a considerable and arduous duty for the men under the conditions of violent winds, rain, mist, and storms which prevailed up here (a height of 6,500 feet), since we occupied the hill. These wind-storms have destroyed our tents once, sometimes continuing for days, and have caused much discomfort both to ourselves and the troops, and I have lost a good many oxen by exposure and lung sickness. Orders having come for the withdrawal of the Naval Brigade, I can only say I have been well and faithfully served by the Officers and men of the detachment under my command; and during these months have formed a high opinion of their excellence as a battery, under the varying conditions of climate, heights, and positions, they have gone through in Natal, the Orange Colony, and the Transvaal. All these men, in spite of much sickness at times, have stuck to their work with the Natal Army for a year now, and consequently I think, fully deserve any advancement or reward it is possible to give them, and I am sure H.M.S. _Tartar_ may be proud of the men representing her during the war. I wish to bring this general opinion of the men of the detachment, which I hold, to the favourable notice of the Commander-in-Chief, and to specially recommend the following for good service rendered with the guns:

A. L. Munro, C.P.O. and torpedo instructor (late of H.M.S.

_Tartar_).

G. H. Epsley, P.O., 2nd cla.s.s and captain 1st gun (late of H.M.S.

_Tartar_).

E. Cheeseman, A.B., S.G., and acting captain 2nd gun (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).

D. Smith, A.B., S.G.T., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).

J. Macdonald, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).

G. Baldwin, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).

J. Sawyer, A.B., S.G., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).

H. Wright, A.B., T.M., gun crew (late of H.M.S. _Tartar_).

For his good services as armourer and work drawing ordnance and transport, stores, money, and in charge of commissariat, I particularly recommend O. A. Hart, armourer's mate, H.M.S. _Tartar_ (late), a man thoroughly reliable.

As regards the Officer and six men of H.M.S. _Philomel_ attached to my command, three of whom have since been invalided, I must strongly recommend Mr. W. R. Ledgard, mids.h.i.+pman, who since July 28th I have detached, as ordered by G.O.C. 5th Division, in independent command of one gun, first at Opperman's Kraal, and then at Paardekop; he has carried out this duty with ability and success, and for a young officer I know it has been a trying one.

I also recommend T. Payne, A.B., S.G., H.M.S. _Philomel_, for good service with the guns.

Expressing my gratification at having had the opportunity to command H.M.S. _Tartar's_ (now _Monarch's_) Detachment, I have, etc.

APPENDIX III

DIARY OF THE BOER WAR UP TO OCTOBER 25TH, 1900.

1899.

Oct. 11.--Time fixed by the Boers for compliance with "ultimatum"

expired at 5 p.m.

Oct. 14.--Boers march on Kimberley and Mafeking.

Oct. 15.--KIMBERLEY ISOLATED.

Oct. 20.--Boer position on TALANA HILL captured by the British under Symons.

Oct. 21.--White moves out force under French to eject Boers from ELANDSLAAGTE. Boers routed.

Oct. 22.--Yule retires from Dundee on Ladysmith _via_ Beith.

Oct. 23.--Death of General Symons at Dundee.

Oct. 30.--General sortie from Ladysmith. Naval guns silence Boer siege artillery.

Surrender of part of two battalions and a Mountain Battery at Nicholson's Nek.

Oct. 31.--General Sir Redvers Buller lands at Capetown.

Nov. 1.--Boers invade Cape Colony.

Nov. 2.--LADYSMITH ISOLATED.